As the rumors start to bubble up around New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs—one of the teams with perceived interest—are not on his 10-team no-trade list. That would mean the Rangers could trade McDonagh to the Maple Leafs without asking him, though no deal seems imminent.
The Boston Bruins are also listed as “in the mix” though LeBrun reports that the asking price will need to drop before they do anything. That asking price is likely tremendous given McDonagh’s status as a top-pairing defenseman with another year on his reasonable contract. The Rangers are interested in bringing back young players during their sell off, and McDonagh is their greatest trade chip.
The Maple Leafs have been looking for another top-4 defenseman for quite some time, and though Travis Dermott’s emergence as a legitimate NHL option has helped, the team still could use an upgrade on the back end. McDonagh would immediately upgrade their group, though his addition would give them another left-handed option to go along with Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, Ron Hainsey and Dermott. Playing defensemen on their off-side has never been a favorite of head coach Mike Babcock, and he’s already had to use Hainsey on the right all season.
For Boston, remaining in the mix for McDonagh is a bit surprising after they already traded for his former teammate in Nick Holden. Obviously McDonagh is a different asset than Holden, but his acquisition would simply give them too many defensemen. If the Bruins did go after him, they’d likely be sending back a blue liner of some sort.
Oh man Mcdonagh on the Bruins could be special. Maybe if they deal a couple of picks and couple of farm guys? As long as they do little to disrupt the current set up at the big club level they should make the deal
I’m sure a couple picks (unless they are 1st rounders) and a couple of ‘farm guys’ isn’t what the Rangers feel is fair value for McDonagh…
Panthers 3rd, Bruins ‘19 first, conditional 2020 3rd if he resigns, and Seneshyn?
Rangers have openly said they are looking for players back, not necessarily prospects. So from Toronto, I’d expect one of those lefties heading back. Dermott has looked good, and being young, it’s likely what the Rangers will be asking for. Toronto would probably be more inclined to include Gardiner at this point. People jumped down my throat when I suggested Dermott was being brought up to showcase for a trade, so we shall see how it goes. In my mind as a Leafs fan, I’d be happy sending Gardiner, Leivo and a 1st to the Rangers. Doubt that’ll be enough but it’ll start the negotiations at least.
Yassss
It’s been reported that if the rangers were to deal with the Bruins they would want DeBrusk back in any deal for McDonagh along with other nhl ready talent and picks
Rumor I believe was something around Carlo + debrusk for mcD
Although I’d love to see McDonough in a spoked B, especially with Big Z nearing the end, bit there’s NO WAY the B’scan include DeBrusk (or Heinton) in any deal. What’s the story with Carlo? Seems to be having an off year or is it just that the other youngsters like the above and McAvoy and Grelzcyk are just playing way above expectations? With Holden, Miller & McQuaid the Bs have 3 Big, Strong, Defensive defensemen. Z and McAvoy play 22+ minutes a night, Krug gets the pp job (but the Bs pp stinks as usual). And there’s still the old stiff Pautsma sitting in the upper deck watching the game as the odd man out. With so many D men, could Sweeney be thinking of trying to replace DeBrusk with Carlo as one of the pieces the Rangers want for McDonough? Bs fans, help me out here. Is Carlo the real deal as a top 4 defenseman for the next 5-7years or is he worth giving up as part of a package for McDonough?